College Governance

Although the President and the Trustees of Bates College are by charter defined as the legal corporation and therefore ultimately the responsible governing body, Bates' charter specifies that the government of the College, including responsibility for academic, social and residential policy is vested in the Faculty. Therefore, the faculty, which meets on the first Monday of each month, is of central importance to the ongoing life of this community. The establishment of degree requirements, the determination of the curriculum, the calendar, the instigation of special programs such as Junior Year Abroad, the setting of residential policy and the establishment and responsibility for the procedures for student discipline are among the many areas of college life that fall within the purview of the faculty. The agenda and minutes of faculty meetings are posted at the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.
Six students are invited to attend faculty meetings. They may not vote, but they may participate in discussion when requested to do so by the President. Three of the students are chosen annually by the Representative Assembly and three register (on a first-come basis) in the Registrar's Office, Libbey Forum (as of Nov. 1), beginning the day after the adjournment of the regular faculty meeting each month. Students must register by the Friday preceding the faculty meeting in order to attend.
Since the faculty must carry on its business in efficient ways, in addition to carefully worked out procedures, it relies on its committees to do the bulk of research on policy matters and make careful recommendations for action. The work of faculty committees is of central importance in the decision-making life of Bates. Through membership on certain faculty committees, students influence and help to shape the policies that define the quality and style of this institution.
The charges to the various faculty committees are noted below. Faculty members appointed thus far by the Committee on Committees are listed. All members of these committees welcome discussion on issues before them by students and faculty in the community.
Elected Committees
President's Institutional Planning and Advisory Committee
This committee "shall meet with the President not less than once a month throughout the academic year, to advise and consult on any matter of concern to the faculty." It also serves as a board of inquiry in cases of termination of a faculty contract for cause. Members: C. Aburto Guzmán, C.C. Bohlen, V.L. Johnson, J.E. Kelsey, W.R. Matthews, J.G. Pelliccia.
Student Advisory Committee
Similar in structure to the President's Institutional Planning and Advisory Committee, it meets with the President at least once a month. The agenda is open, and students may bring any matter to the direct attention of the President. A new member from each class is elected in September of each year; those elected in previous years continue to serve throughout their undergraduate careers.
Faculty Committees and Governance
This committee appoints all faculty committees that are not elective, designates the chair and supervises the election of members to elected committees. Members: D.R. Cummiskey, D.W. Harward (ex officio), H. Lin, G.N. Nigro, J.N. Reich (ex officio), J.G. Richter.
Student Committee on Committees
Chaired by the President of the College, this committee selects student members of faculty committees subject to confirmation by the Representative Assembly. Members are to be elected in September for a one-year term.
Personnel Committee
This committee makes recommendations to the President on all matters concerning faculty reappointment, promotion and tenure. Members: D.W. Harward (ex officio), Chair, L.M. Danforth, J.E. Kelsey, T.G. Lawson, F. López, J.K. Pribram, J.N. Reich (ex officio), A.B. Thompson.
Personnel for Physical Education Committee
This committee makes recommendations to the President on matters concerning faculty members of the Department of Physical Education. Members: D.W. Harward (ex officio), Chair, M.J. Côté, K.G. Low, J.N. Reich (ex officio), R.C. Williamson.
Faculty Committee on Conference with the Trustees
This committee "shall meet at least twice each year with the Trustee Committee on Conference with the Faculty to discuss matters of mutual concern." Members: T. Chin, J.T. Costlow, D. Grafflin, M.A. Imber, H. Lin, J.E. Smedley.
Student Committee on Conference with the Trustees
This committee meets twice a year with a committee of the trustees. The agenda is open. Members include four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and one first-year student. A student is elected from each class each year; those elected in previous years continue to serve throughout their undergraduate years.
All-Faculty Committees
The following committees that deal with private and confidential information on students consist of faculty members only. The President and the Dean of the Faculty are ex officio members of all committees.
Academic Standing
This committee has these broad responsibilities: (1) to recommend policy to the faculty concerning academic standing, probation and dismissal, and related matters of the grading system; (2) to hear on appeal individual cases of students placed on probation or dismissed by failure to meet legislated criteria for good academic standing; (3) to hear petitions for readmission from students once academically dismissed; (4) to report statistical summaries concerning academic standing to the faculty after the close of the fall and winter semesters; (5) in conjunction with the Educational Policy Committee to recommend policy to the faculty concerning registrations and the assignment of credit; (6) to hear on appeal individual petitions concerning irregular registrations and credits, including underloads, overloads, late registrations, late withdrawals, rescheduled final examinations, deferred course grades, changes in course grades and transferred credits; (7) to review the administrative exercise of duties as delegated by the committee to the Dean of Students and the Associate Dean of Students according to faculty legislation. Members: G.A. Ruff, Chair, F.C. Branham (ex officio), M.H. Braz (ex officio), M. Maurer-Fazio, D.M. Mulholland, S.W. Sawyer (ex officio), L.M. Umpierre, P.N.S. Wong.
African American Studies and American Cultural Studies
These Committees design and oversee these major programs. They have the same authority over the programs and their student participants as normally is held by academic departments in regard to their major programs. Members: C.V. Carnegie, Co-Chair (fall semester), M.S. Creighton, Co Chair, M.C. Bruce, E.A. Eames (winter semester and Short Term), M.A. Kessler (winter semester and Short Term), C.I. Nero, C.A. Taylor, G. Ulysse, L.F. Williams (fall semester).
Asian Studies
This Committee has responsibility for overseeing the major program in East Asian Studies and the secondary concentration program in South Asian Studies. Members: D. Grafflin, Chair, S.E.G. Kemper, M. Maurer-Fazio, K. Ofuji.
Biological Chemistry
This Committee has responsibility for overseeing the major program in Biological Chemistry. Members: T.G. Lawson, Chair, L.H. Abrahamsen, M.J. Côté, S. Kinsman, J.G. Pelliccia, P.J. Schlax.
Classical and Medieval Studies
This Committee has responsibility for overseeing the interdisciplinary program in Classical and Medieval Studies. Members: L.M. O'Higgins, Chair, R.W. Allison, R.W. Corrie, M.A. Imber, M.E. Jones (winter semester and Short Term), F. López, L. Maurizio (fall semester), A.B. Thompson.
Cluster Development
This committee reviews suggestions for clusters from individual faculty members and departments in the Humanities and History. These suggested clusters are supplemented by the committee and then published each year as part of the semester registration packets. The published list constitutes the clusters available for student selection. In addition, the committee reviews cluster proposals submitted by students. Members: J.S. Leamon, Chair, J.W. Carignan, J.D. Eusden.
Environmental Studies
This Committee has responsibility for overseeing the major program in Environmental Studies. Members: J.G. Richter, Chair, C.C. Bohlen, J.T. Costlow, J.W. Hughes (winter semester and Short Term), S. Kinsman, L.K. Ongley, C.B. Straub (fall semester), T.J. Wenzel, P.J. Rogers.
Evaluation of Teaching
This committee has the responsibility to study procedures involved in the evaluation of teaching and, in consultation with the Committee on Personnel: (1) to compose and, as necessary, to revise the student rating form necessary to implement Art. IV, Sect. 2a, of the Rules and Procedures concerning Faculty Appointment, Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion; (2) to recommend acquisition of any necessary scoring apparatus and to prepare the computer programs necessary for statistical analysis of completed forms; (3) to consult on the proportion of all courses offered to be evaluated by such ratings; (4) to assist the Committee on Personnel in carrying out its responsibilities as defined in Art. IV, Sect. 2a; (5) to recommend to the Committee on Personnel procedures for the selection of student letter writers according to the provisions of Art. IV, Sect. 2b; (6) to perform on behalf of the Committee on Personnel whatever tasks of selection are necessitated by the provisions of Art. IV, Sect. 2b; (7) to recommend and, as necessary, to revise the design and the language of the call-letters necessitated by Art. IV, Sect. 2b & c; (8) to recommend procedures for the evaluation of advising as an expected part of the teaching obligation. The committee has full access to completed rating forms and statistical summaries, but it must respect the confidentiality essential in personnel matters. Members: E.R. Wollman, Chair, A.W. Dodd, D.W. Harward (ex officio), J.W. Hughes, V.L. Johnson, K.G. Low, J.N. Reich (ex officio).
Graduate Studies
In cooperation with the academic departments and the Office of Career Services, this committee undertakes to encourage qualified students to consider graduate study upon completion of their college work. It serves also as a screening committee for all fellowship applicants who must be nominated or recommended by the College. Members: S.E.G. Kemper, Chair, R.W. Corrie, J.D. Eusden, E. Mechner, P.N.S. Wong.
Legal Studies
This committee serves as an advisory and coordinating body for those students interested in legal careers and is responsible for the preparation of evaluations and recommendations of students to the law schools. Members: C.R. Schwinn, Chair, F.C. Branham (ex officio), M.A. Imber.
Medical Studies
This committee shall serve as an advisory and coordinating body to those students interested in medical and health-service careers and is responsible for the preparation of evaluations and recommendations of students to the professional schools. Members: L.H. Abrahamsen, Chair, R.W. Allison, J.G. Pelliccia, M.J. Retelle, S.W. Sawyer (ex officio), R.J. Sommer.
Neuroscience
This Committee has responsibility for overseeing the major program in Neuroscience. Members: J.E. Kelsey, Chair, C.M. McCormick (winter semester and Short Term), S. Kinsman, N.W. Kleckner, G.N. Nigro.
Teaching Development
This committee promotes excellent teaching at the College by: (1) sponsoring workshops and seminars on teaching development, (2) developing a collection of materials on pedagogy for faculty use, (3) serving as a resource group for faculty members seeking to develop their teaching and (4) developing such other methods for promoting excellent teaching as the committee deems appropriate. The committee may also provide information about technical and other resources at the College that are available to faculty and communicate with the Committee on Evaluation of Teaching about modifications of the evaluation process that would enhance teaching development. Members: P. Johann, Chair, M.A. Kessler, N.W. Kleckner, K.D. Read.
Women's Studies
This Committee designs and oversees the major program. It has the same authority over the program and its student participants as normally is held by academic departments. Members: C. Malcolmson, Chair, K. Asher, E.A. Eames, R.M. Herzig, F. López, E. Rand, B.J. Shulman.
Faculty-Student Committees
All student members of the following committees are appointed by the Representative Assembly in September. Their names are announced to the campus community at that time. The President and the Dean of the Faculty are ex officio members of all committees.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This committee considers policy matters relative to the admission of new students and the granting of all forms of financial aid, including scholarships, fellowships, loans and such prizes as are not specifically determined by other means. The Committee's recommendations for policy change are submitted to the faculty for appropriate action. The Dean of Admissions shall be an ex officio member. Members: S.R. Coffey, Chair, J.R. Cole, W.R. Matthews, W.L. Mitchell (ex officio), S. Yang.
Athletics
This committee shall: (1) give careful attention to all matters pertaining to noncurricular athletics and report to the faculty any information and any legislation it shall deem advisable; (2) serve as an advisory committee to the Department of Physical Education on any matters pertaining to noncurricular policy and practice of that department. Members: D.A. Aschauer, Chair, S.R. Coffey (ex officio), D.B. Ledlie, J.P. Murphy, S.W. Sawyer (ex officio), L.A. Turlish.
College Concerts
This committee is responsible for the arrangement and presentation of an annual concert series. Members: S.A. Freedman, Chair, A. Hirai, K.D. Read (winter semester and Short Term), L.F. Williams (fall semester).
College Lectures
This committee is responsible for the arrangement and presentation of the annual lecture series. Members: J.W. Carignan, Chair, E. Mechner, D.M. Sweet.
Curriculum and Calendar
This committee reviews and recommends to the faculty curricular proposals that come within the structure of established educational policy; of reporting the annual academic calendar to the faculty; and of the review and approval of class and examination schedules, as presented to the Committee by the Registrar. Members: M.R. Anderson, Chair, M.H. Braz (ex officio), P.D. Matthews (ex officio), J.S. Strong, E.H. Tobin, R.J. Thomas.
Educational Policy
This committee has the broad responsibility of review of the educational policy of the College and of initiation of proposals to the faculty for changes in policy. The Dean of the Faculty shall serve as the Chair, ex officio. Members: J.N. Reich (ex officio), Chair, W.G. Ambrose, E.W. Kane, J.A. Rhodes, A.B. Scott, S.L. Smith (fall semester), A.B. Thompson, E.L. Wiemers (ex officio).
Extracurricular Activities and Residential Life
This committee is charged with the responsibility of an overall coordinating board of general policy for all extracurricular activities. Its functions include: approval and recognition of all established student clubs and organizations and their constitutions; review of proposed budgets; student organization scheduling for extracurricular events and, within the administrative rules for service and the use of facilities, the assignment of space and services as requested by faculty or student groups. Members: D.R. Bradley, Chair, F.C. Branham (ex officio), C.I. Nero, J.P. Reilly, E.E. Seeling.
First-Year Seminars and the Writing Workshop
This committee has the following responsibilities: (1) to work with participating faculty to see that proposed seminars reflect the purposes of the program; (2) to present each year's program to the Committee on Curriculum and Calendar; (3) to offer an annual evaluation of the program to the Committee on Educational Policy; (4) to consider, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty, requests for exceptions from departments that do not wish to offer such seminars in a given year; (5) to supervise the Writing Workshop, and serve as an information resource on teaching writing. Members: W.S. Corlett, Chair, J.W. Creasy, S.C. Dillon, R.L. Farnsworth, P.D. Matthews, L. Maurizio.
Honors
This committee shall: (1) set standards and procedures for the granting of honors; and (2) admit students to honor study upon recommendation of department heads. Members: A.D. Williams, Chair, A.E. MacLeod, C. Malcolmson, E.R. Wollman
Information Services Advisory Committee
This committee advises and assists the Director of Academic Computing in the operation and planning of the College's academic computing facilities and programs. It also serves the faculty as the committee of first referral in all matters concerning computing services and oversees the secondary concentration in computer studies. Members: D.C. Haines, Chair, J.F. Bauer (ex officio), M.H. Braz (ex officio), J.C. Fergerson (ex officio), P. Johann, B.M. Kenney, (ex officio), P.J. Schlax, L.D. Spugnardi, (ex officio) E.L. Wiemers (ex officio).
Library
This committee shall sit as an advisory body to the Librarian, who shall be an ex officio member. It shall also serve the faculty as the committee of first referral in all matters concerning the library. Members: S.F. Sylvester, Chair, R.W. Allison, M.M. Caspi, J.S. Leamon, E.C. Minkoff, T.J. Wenzel, E.L. Wiemers (ex officio).
Off-Campus Study
This committee makes recommendations to the faculty regarding policy for study abroad and works with the Director of Off-Campus Study in the selection of candidates for foreign study. Members: R.C. Williamson, Chair, F.C. Branham (ex officio), C. Aburto Guzmán, M.T. Rice DeFosse, S.W. Sawyer (ex officio), A.B. Scott (ex officio).
Student Conduct
This committee has the following responsibilities: (1) to make policy recommendations to the faculty regarding matters of student conduct; (2) to make decisions in cases that may result in probation, suspension, dismissal or other major penalty and (3) to handle all readmission cases for students dismissed for disciplinary reasons. All action taken by the Committee in disciplinary cases shall be reported to the faculty each semester. Members: D.I. Hodgkin, Chair (fall semester). D.R. Browne, Chair (winter semester and Short Term), J.R. Cole (fall semester), C.M. McCormick (winter semester), J.P. Murphy, M.T. Rice-DeFosse, M.D. Semon, S.M. Strong (fall semester).
Department Councils
Composed of elected majors in the departments, the councils meet to discuss policy and curriculum. The councils are advisory to the faculty members of each department.